Around 800 sets of parents have yet to submit a secondary school application for their child ahead of Tuesday’s midnight deadline.

Parents and carers have until October 31 to apply for a place at a Nottingham secondary school for any pupils looking to start Year 7 in September 2018. This is children born between 1 September 2006 and 31 August 2007.

Nottingham City Council’s schools admissions team anticipate applications for around 3,700 children, but have so far received 2,800 – meaning there are still applications yet to come in for up to 800 pupils.

The application process is straightforward and can be done online – all the instructions and the form are available at https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/education-and-schools/school-admissions/transfer-to-secondary-school-in-year-7/

Parents and carers are strongly advised to make four preferences, and this should include the school that they will meet the highest criteria for, i.e. perhaps the one in their catchment area.

Otherwise, if they are not successful in their preferences then a place will be allocated at a school that may not have been previously considered.

A decision will be made on all on-time applications on National Offer Day, which for secondary schools is Thursday 1 March, 2018.

Councillor Sam Webster, Portfolio Holder for Business, Education and Skills at Nottingham City Council, said: “I understand that this is a really important time for parents and carers as their children make the transition from primary to secondary school. Our admissions team work tirelessly at this time of year to match as many children with their first-choice school.

“Nottingham’s secondary schools become more popular every year. With new learning environments and facilities, we receive many requests from parents in neighbouring County areas. Improved public transport links are also leading to parents and children making different choices about which schools they want to attend.

“That’s why it’s vital if your child is currently in Year 6 and due to move up next September, that you get your application in before Tuesday’s deadline. That will ensure that you make the opening round of admissions where you have the best chance of getting the school you want.

“Choosing a school for your child is one of the most important decisions a parent can make. While we’ve made the application process as simple as possible, please read the requirements carefully, use all your available preferences and make sure we receive it by Tuesday’s deadline.”

Councillor Webster added: “Nottingham City Council has been working to increase capacity in city schools since 2009 to help more parents get a place at their preferred school.

“Our £40m investment in additional school places has added around 4,000 extra. This year more than 90% of parents got their first or second-choice primary or secondary school, so we know that this commitment has made a huge difference to families in Nottingham.”